Tahlia Smith has undergone a treatment heating her body to a high temperature in an attempt to kill the Lyme disease that is crippling the young Raworth woman.
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On her Facebook page Tahlia’s dad Brett said his daughter began the treatment in the Munich hospital she has been admitted to at 8am (German time) Friday (November 20).
The seven-hour treatment was a long anxious wait for Mr Smith and wife Lea, but they were able to see Tahlia when she was returned to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Tahlia’s update coincides with news that the Lyme Disease Association of Australia welcomed the announcement of a Senate inquiry into growing evidence of Lyme disease-like illness.
Association president Sharon Whiteman hopes the inquiry, which is due to report in June 2016, will reveal the impact of the disease on Australians and motivate health authorities to take action.
The existence of Lyme disease in Australia has been consistently refuted by the medical establishment and in 2014 a clinical advisory committee identified a lack of stringency in testing procedures.
Submissions to the inquiry are open until March 31, 2016.
Mr Smith said Tahlia still had a tough road ahead.
He said his daughter had been unwell since the first round of hyperthermia, however was still managing to get her daily treatments, which are sometimes a struggle.
“Out of the blue today Tahlia had one of her seizures rear its ugly head, which was very frightening for Lea and I,” Mr Smith said.
“It brought back some horrible memories.”
Caused by an infected tick bite, Lyme disease symptoms include uncontrollable convulsions, unrelenting nausea, constant leg tremors and agonising joint pain.
It is believed Tahlia was infected while travelling to promote her performing arts career.
It is unsure whether she was bitten in Australia or America.
Tahlia’s Facebook page has been flooded with well wishes and 2080 people have liked her page.
Supporters send their love and are telling Tahlia and her family that they are praying for them and to stay strong.
Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au